Memento Mori

By Matthew Milhon

Memento Mori, be mindful of death. The Latin phrase is said to have originated in ancient Rome where a servant would follow behind a victorious general, as he was paraded through the squares of the city, whispering in his ear ""Respice post te! Hominem te esse memento! Memento mori!" Look behind you! Remember that you are a man! Remember death; the purpose being to humble the great general, so that he would not forget that his glory will count for nothing against death.

Modern man does not like to think much about death. We content ourselves with purely materialistic endeavors and go on our merry way. The Church however, in Her Wisdom, keeps our mind on the reality of death through Her devotions and particularly through the liturgical cycle; this, All Souls Day being the feast of first import in the matter of our mortality.

We must pray for the poor souls and this is the day on which Holy Church has the entirety of Christendom praying on behalf of the Church Suffering. Requiem Aeternam Dona Eis Domine, Et Lux Perpetua Luceat Eis.